Santana, 33, was arrested at 11:27 p.m. Oct. 26. A judge set his cash bond at $25,000 and issued a no-contact order involving his girlfriend. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4. The charges are allegations, and the court has not determined his guilt.

According to the police citation, officers responded to a domestic violence call in Louisville’s Middletown area. The woman told officers she had left the residence to get away from her boyfriend. She alleged that Santana grabbed her by the throat with both hands and pushed her against kitchen cabinets during an argument that morning. She said the couple argued again that evening, when he allegedly grabbed her by the throat and pushed her into the cabinets, causing hip pain. The citation said she had photographs showing redness on her throat.

The arrest came hours after the final post positions were drawn for the 2026 Breeders’ Cup. Santana was scheduled to ride Saturday, Oct. 31, in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint and the Filly & Mare Sprint, and was also eligible for the Turf Sprint. A Breeders’ Cup spokesperson had not immediately responded to a request for comment.

Court records show Santana pleaded guilty to a driving-under-the-influence charge in 2024 and was ordered to complete an alcohol driver education program.